After a turbulent period of protests against President Yoon Suk Yeol, young voters in South Korea are expressing deep disillusionment with the candidates in the latest elections, highlighting ongoing issues such as youth unemployment and gender discrimination.
South Korea's Young Voters Face Disillusionment in Recent Elections
South Korea's Young Voters Face Disillusionment in Recent Elections
Young South Koreans, once united against Yoon Suk Yeol, now feel let down by election candidates.
On December 3, 2025, an unprecedented wave of young South Koreans rallied against President Yoon Suk Yeol after he declared martial law. They adorned themselves with K-pop light sticks and carried colorful flags, passionately advocating for change amidst icy conditions in Seoul. Their efforts culminated in the impeachment and removal of Yoon, an outcome they believed validated their activism. However, as they approached the ballot box on Election Day, their enthusiasm waned.
"I’m just disgusted by the options we have," stated 20-year-old An Ye-young, who found her way into the protest scene for the first time during Yoon's rule. After casting her early ballot, she reflected, "It’s like a feast with nothing to eat," revealing her disappointment in the candidates’ platforms.
Many of her peers echoed similar sentiments, labeling the current candidates as out of touch with pressing issues that plague their generation. Chief among these are soaring youth unemployment rates, pension reforms, and pervasive gender injustices that remain largely unaddressed in campaign dialogues.
The employment landscape remains particularly grim, with the joblessness rate among individuals aged 15 to 29 reaching a four-year high of 6.8% in early 2025. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for viable solutions that resonate with the younger demographic, who feel their indignant cries for change have been ignored in the political sphere.
As candidates gear up to face a restless electorate, the burgeoning sense of disenchantment among the youth could shape the future of South Korean politics if their concerns continue to fall on deaf ears.
"I’m just disgusted by the options we have," stated 20-year-old An Ye-young, who found her way into the protest scene for the first time during Yoon's rule. After casting her early ballot, she reflected, "It’s like a feast with nothing to eat," revealing her disappointment in the candidates’ platforms.
Many of her peers echoed similar sentiments, labeling the current candidates as out of touch with pressing issues that plague their generation. Chief among these are soaring youth unemployment rates, pension reforms, and pervasive gender injustices that remain largely unaddressed in campaign dialogues.
The employment landscape remains particularly grim, with the joblessness rate among individuals aged 15 to 29 reaching a four-year high of 6.8% in early 2025. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for viable solutions that resonate with the younger demographic, who feel their indignant cries for change have been ignored in the political sphere.
As candidates gear up to face a restless electorate, the burgeoning sense of disenchantment among the youth could shape the future of South Korean politics if their concerns continue to fall on deaf ears.
